Sunday, January 01, 2012

Live from Philadelphia, where the tradition is to watch (mostly) men in dresses and "golden slippers" do the Mummers' Strut along Broad Street. Why? Who knows? HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's to a great year, having as much fun as these guys!
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Sunday, October 09, 2011

We now live in a world without Steve Jobs, and an enormous void exists. He leaves a legacy that will inspire millions of us for many reasons for generations. I offer three ways Mr. Jobs may inspire you: Experience of the brand. If you've never been in an Apple store, visit one soon. It's more like an attraction than a retail experience. The feel, the vibe, the overall experience of an Apple store should be your inspiration for your sponsorship program. For businesses that sponsor events, your onsite component should be so compelling that it becomes an attraction or an...
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Monday, July 25, 2011

Dear nonprofit executives and development and event leaders: Do your events exhaust you just thinking about them? Do you wonder why you even produce events and what they have to do with your mission? Could they at least use some fresh thinking? How about your corporate sponsorship efforts? Have you engaged great partners for your upcoming events? Or do you feel burned out, working so hard but getting very little in return? Join me for a double header of workshops, presented by the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, on Friday, August 26, 2011. Why Events Work & How to Make...
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tomorrow I'll be the guest of Susan Daffron and the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals for a teleseminar, entitled "Planning Pain-free, Profitable Events." Susan's planning some meaty questions about event strategy and execution, sponsorship, and how to strengthen nonprofit organization's abilities to produce great events that deliver meaningful outcomes. Hope you'll join us. When you sign up for NAPRP's newsletter, you'll learn more about accessing the organization's teleseminars.
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Today's post continues with part two of a two-part Q&A with writer Michael J. McDermott for his article on improving the effectiveness of event sponsorship for ANA Magazine, a publication of the Association of National Advertisers. You'll find Part 1 here. Michael J. McDermott (MJMcD): How should marketers measure the success of a sponsorship campaign? What metrics should they be using and how accessible is the data they need? Gail S. Bower (GSB): Businesses market for only 2 reasons: to build awareness and to generate sales. So these are the fundamental metrics. What many marketers become confused about is how...
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Monday, June 13, 2011

If you're responsible for sponsorship decision-making and execution for a corporation, check out this two-part Q&A with writer Michael J. McDermott for his article on improving the effectiveness of event sponsorship for ANA Magazine, a publication of the Association of National Advertisers. Be sure to visit on Wednesday for part 2. Michael J. McDermott (MJMcD): What are the most important areas marketers need to focus on when considering whether a sports or event sponsorship opportunity is right for them? Gail S. Bower (GSB): Is the sponsorship medium appropriate for our strategy? Will this opportunity advance our strategy, and is it...
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Monday, April 11, 2011

If you're feeling frustrated by your organization or event's success rate with sponsorship development, ask whether you or your staff may be sabotaging your own efforts. Here are 7 signs to look for. Starting too late. Sponsorship development takes time –– 9 to 12 months for an existing event, 12 to 18 months for a new event. It takes time to develop your strategy; find and make contact with the right person; co-create an opportunity; and execute it in ways that are meaningful for sponsors. Mass emailing. You're not looking for lots of sponsors; you're looking for a handful of...
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Friday, March 25, 2011

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer reports that PNC Bank will no longer sponsor the Philadelphia International Flower Show, a decision they'd made and informed the Flower Show of two years ago. The bank is looking to sponsor other opportunities, and new leadership at the Flower Show is positive about its ideas to partner with the corporate sector in 2012 and beyond, according to the article. These will be tough shoes to fill, for both sides. From outward appearances, PNC Bank was a great partner, growing with the event, committed in all the right ways, and taking full advantage of the opportunity. A...
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Friday, February 25, 2011

One day last week, I left a meeting with someone who is under a great deal of pressure because of current budget squeezes that impact her nonprofit organization's funding. The physical sensations of stress she described were indelible, and I felt a great deal of empathy as I walked through the City towards my office. I passed the Merriam Theatre in Philadelphia, and a crowd spilling out onto the sidewalk, hours before showtime, piqued my curiousity. Then I heard drumming. Stomp was in town, and at this very moment, they were conducting a masterclass for high school-aged – and very...
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Tuesday, February 01, 2011

If you’ve been operating at a frenetic pace, trying to outsmart the economy, you may not have stopped to look around and notice what’s going on in the world around you, the sponsorship world, that is. This special report provides you with five observations I’ve made that absolutely will have an impact on organizations’ abilities to generate revenue through partnerships with the corporate sector. Consider this insider intelligence to help you plan your 2011 sponsorship strategy. Download Sponsorship Realities 2011 P.S. A day after I wrote the special report, I read this post. To me it's an indicator that my...
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Sponsorship Strategist Gail Bower

Gail Bower transforms organizational complexity into strategies that result in sustainable revenue, increased growth, and greater value. Author of "How to Jump-start Your Sponsorship Strategy in Tough Times," she’s a professional consultant, coach, writer, and speaker, with more than 25 years’ experience in marketing and managing some of the country’s most important events, festivals, and sponsorships. A trusted media source, Gail’s been quoted in Time magazine, Fox Small Business Center, MPI’s One+ magazine, among many others. Visit GailBower.com for more information.

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How to Jump-Start Your Sponsorship Strategy

Gail Bower's Guidebook: How to Jump-start Your Sponsorship Strategy in Tough Times

Does the recent economic upheaval that sent seismic shifts through our culture have you wondering what to do next with your sponsorship development efforts?
Marketing and sponsorship strategist Gail Bower wrote this short guidebook for you. Get the confidence, perspective, and techniques you need to jump-start your sponsorship strategy today.
“A professional GPS system to keep you on a successful track.”
- Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE,
President & CEO
International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA
World)